Directions:
Mix eggs and milk in a mixing bowl. Dip bread in egg batter until soaked on both sides. Heat a nonstick pan on medium-high heat. Cook bread on both sides until golden brown. Sprinkle cinnamon on both sides of bread while it is cooking.

Place mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Whip at high speed until thoroughly incorporated. Slice the strawberries and fold into the cheese mixture. Spread the cheese filling on the cooked bread to make two sandwiches. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.

I’m not sure if it’s the rooster in one of the windows that’s framed with dainty lace curtains, or the friendly smiles and warm greetings or the aroma of a freshly-cooked breakfast that makes the Kountry Kitchen in Greenville, Rhode Island feel like home…but whatever it is sure made this breakfast blogger feel like a part of the Kountry Kitchen family. And, at Kountry Kitchen it truly is a family affair.

Lace curtains always remind me of home.

Originally owned by the Meehan family, Kountry Kitchen – Rhode Island’s FAVORITE breakfast spot – has been around for 32 years. The Delos family – brothers Thierry and Lionel, their parents, and aunt and uncle, took ownership 16 years ago and have enjoyed a faithful following ever since.

And, after my experience there I can understand why.

They are passionate about what they do and take pride in every single muffin, egg, pancake and crepe served in their restaurant. Thierry Delos, who grew up working on Martha’s Vineyard in a high end French restaurant owned by his father, admits that making good food is more than just a job. “It’s in my blood,” says Thierry. “Both my parents and aunt and uncle grew up in France and were classically trained, so I learned the art of French cuisine from them.” From their crepes with Nutella and fresh bananas to their Lobster Benedict with homemade Hollandaise sauce, the menu is certainly a reflection of the family’s French roots.

The Brothers Delos – Thierry (left) and Lionel (right).

Nestled by a lake, Kountry Kitchen feels more like a friend’s home than a restaurant. The charming decor is sprinkled with antiques, stained glass windows, Tiffany style lamps and homey silk floral arrangements. It’s not a small space either…there are several rooms for larger, private parties and they’re working on creating a beer pub on the lower level which looks out onto the lake (they’re open for dinner on Fridays). Sound inviting? Thought so…and I haven’t even mentioned the food.

Country accents all around

Beautiful stained glass is among some of the very homey features at Kountry Kitchen.

Rise and shine!

The little touches…

Well, before I begin…let me take this opportunity to thank Thierry and Lionel for creating a personalized tasting menu for my first Kountry Kitchen experience, and to Elizabeth Israni who helped coordinate my visit. I felt like a celebrity and I hope, one day, to return to your restaurant with The Travel Channel! You never know!

Since there is always one owner in the kitchen at any given time, it was Thierry’s turn to take the reins while brother Lionel brought me the first of six, yes, SIX, breakfast selections for me to taste.

First up was their Lobster Benedict…a perfect combination of sweet lobster, a tangy hollandaise sauce on a whole wheat English muffin. Now, I’ve said many times before that Eggs Benedict is my FAVORITE egg dish, and I’ve been to many restaurants where I’ve ordered Eggs Benedict and thought, “Have they actually tasted their own hollandaise sauce or ever heard of a soft poached egg?” And, typically, an Eggs Benedict is a special item on a brunch or breakfast menu…so, why not give it the special treatment it deserves? At Kountry Kitchen, they do just that. Every single egg that’s dropped, is timed with an egg timer…two minutes.

Lobster Eggs Benedict

In fact, while on my visit, I heard the egg timer ring a couple of times and I thought to myself, “lucky!” I couldn’t believe the generous portions of lobster that came with the dish. It was smothered in a hollandaise sauce that had just the right amount of tanginess. Made with egg yolk, cayenne, lemon (or lime) and butter, the sauce is whisked to perfection and is made fresh daily.

Paired with their Benedict was their home fries. Excuse me, their unbelievably delicious home fries. Grilled to a nice crispy texture, these home fries are seasoned with a proprietary blend of spices that Thierry and Lionel hope to market one day…I hope to be their first customer! I’d put these spices on just about anything!

Homemade Corned Beef Hash

Next was their homemade can’t-keep-it-in-the-house Corned Beef Hash. Made fresh daily, their hash is prepared with corned beef that’s been cooked for four hours in a home blend of pickling spices. Once the corned beef is cooked, it is trimmed of fat…they then grind the beef and the fat, add potatoes and a half gallon of bacon fat to about six gallons of the hash. It’s made to order with or without onions. The texture is a little crispy and very moist and flavorful…would give anything for that pickling spice recipe!

Stepping away from the savory dishes for a moment, Lionel then gave me their Nutella Banana Crepe. One of the most quintessential and classic French dishes, crêpes are basically a flat pancake. They can come sweet or savory and, lucky for me, they came sweet for my visit. I discovered Nutella a few years ago and quickly became addicted to it. If you haven’t tried it, it is a hazelnut chocolate spread that originated in Italy in 1964. When it’s paired with a perfectly cooked crepe and fresh (not cooked) bananas and homemade whip cream, it might just send you into orbit. I loved this dish. I loved the fact that bananas weren’t cooked, but were just the right kind of ripe – firm and sweet. I also loved the fact that this was Thierry’s and Lionel’s grandmother’s recipe. I felt like I was tasting a little piece of their family history and I grew to appreciate each and every bite.

Nutella Banana Crepe – hungry yet?

Next up was their homemade Cinnamon Bun. Pretty basic…it’s a homemade cinnamon roll topped with a delicious sugar glaze…but what makes this cinnamon bun different is that they cut it in half and grill it on a flat top making it nice and crispy. It’s a cooking method I highly recommend. 🙂

Homemade Cinnamon Bun – grilled to utter deliciousness.

Since I was nearing a sugar coma, Thierry decided to switch up my palette a bit and took me south of the border with their South of the Border Pan Fried Omelette and jalapeño cornbread. First you begin with their house made chili that has cooked for the better part of a day. The three-egg omelette is then stuffed with the mouthwatering chili and cheddar Jack cheese. It is then pan fried in a skillet with some olive oil and popped into the oven where it gets nice and fluffy. It is then topped with salsa, sour cream and chopped cilantro. The dish is nicely paired with their jalapeño cheese corn bread…Ole! If you need a trip south of the border, I’d take this one!

South of the Border Omelette and Cornbread

Like with any meal, dessert was served last…and my dessert was KK’s Stuffed Texas French Toast with Mascarpone and Strawberries. Take two slices of Texas toast, dip it in batter, pan fry it, cut each piece in half and stuff it with a mascarpone mixture (mascarpone, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla) and fresh strawberries. The mascarpone mixture is not overly sweet but adding a little of their homemade whip cream would satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth as it did mine.

Stuffed French Toast with Mascarpone and Strawberries…dessert is served!

After breakfast, I took some shots of the restaurant as they packed a half dozen to-go containers for me. Their portions are generous so be prepared to eat, it will be worth the preparation.

Kountry Kitchen is located at 10 Smith Avenue in Greenville, Rhode Island. You can visit them on Facebook at Facebook.com/KountryKitchenRI or check out their menu below by clicking on this link. Kountry Kitchen – Menus

There are many people out there who consider breakfast to be one of those meals that has to be boring. You know the type…the ones who always order two eggs over easy, bacon and toast, even if there’s a scrumptious Eggs Florentine or an exotic French Toast on the specials board. Now, I’m not scoffing at anyone who eats a low-key, eggs over easy breakfast…heck, after all, anyone who eats breakfast is eating the first and most important meal of the day. However, I feel breakfast is one of those meals that dares you to try something different.

The Corner Restaurant

And, if you’re in Milford, Connecticut, The Corner Restaurant is the ultimate TRIPLE DOG DARE. From dishes like African Hash and Spiced Indian Duck Tortilla to their Peaches and Cream Stuffed French Toast and Alligator Jambalaya, The Corner thrives on making converts out of boring breakfast folk.

First, a special thank you to my friends John and Kristine Wells who opened up their beautiful home to me. I’m so happy we were able to spend a little time together.

My gracious hosts.

A warm welcome, indeed!

I’d also like to thank Michelle and Amer Lebel, their children and staff who welcomed me to Milford in true celebrity style. I felt so incredibly special…it brings a big giant smile to my face just thinking about that day. I also want to thank John Berchem, City Attorney and Ben Blake, the Mayor of Milford who took time out of their busy day to support The Corner during my visit.

Feeling like a celebrity in Milford, CT with the Mayor and City Attorney!

Situated on the longest coast line in Connecticut, Milford was established in 1639. In fact, next year, Milford will celebrate their 375th birthday. The city’s vibe is quintessential New England – historic and beautiful yet mixed with a young, vibrant energy. It’s quite the combination…and The Corner Restaurant fits perfectly.

Welcome to Milford, CT! Please come again…okay, I will. 🙂

Established 16 years ago, The Corner Restaurant has been a locals’ favorite ever since it opened. And, for good reason. It’s cozy atmosphere, filled with regulars from near and far, is decorated with an assortment of antiques and memorabilia from Michelle’s and Amer’s travels – making you feel right at home. And, that’s just the decor. The food is truly the centerpiece to this beloved restaurant. If I didn’t live on the opposite coast, I, too would be a Corner regular.

Warm and inviting…

Upon reflecting on the feast Michelle and Amer laid out for my visit (which I will describe next), I actually had to look up the word feast. According to Merriam Webster, feast is defined as something that gives unusual or abundant enjoyment. It’s amazing how some words nail it…because that is truly what happened to me at The Corner. I had a FEAST…a true foodie’s feast.

I started my feast sipping on a cup of coconut coffee. Normally I’m not a fan of flavored coffee, but the coconut blended nicely in this roast. Michelle also gave me a glass a freshly squeezed orange juice…it was like sticking a straw directly into an orange. So good.

Alligator Jambalaya (Photo courtesy of The Corner Restaurant)

First up was their Alligator Jambalaya – layers of crisp, flaky flatbread, eggs and their alligator jambalaya. The alligator jambalaya is a brilliant combination of alligator, shrimp, fresh crab meat, andouille sausage, tomatoes, onions and a secret blend of spices. All of the meats are fresh and full of flavor. And, what did my first bite of alligator taste like? I guess…chicken? Really good chicken. 🙂

Next was their African Hash and Lobster Benedict – two very unique Benedict-style dishes. Both were served on an English muffin with poached eggs…but that’s where the similarity with a standard Eggs Benedict ended. For instance, the African Hash is a Benedict topped with a Middle Eastern influenced spicy beef and lentil hash. The fragrant spices in the hash pair well with the creamy béarnaise sauce, then it’s all topped with crispy shoestring potatoes. The other dish was their Lobster Benedict…equally delicious and completely different. Served with an English muffin and poached eggs, this dish has a surprise waiting with each layer. First is the English muffin, a grilled tomato and then the first surprise – a crispy goat cheese medallion. Then, poached eggs are topped with the next surprise – pieces of deliciously sweet lobster meat finished with a freshly made hollandaise sauce. I had never had goat cheese with a Benedict before but I highly recommend it.

Spiced Indian Duck Tortilla…yep, I said it. (Photo courtesy of The Corner Restaurant)

Believe it or not, breakfast didn’t stop there. My next adventure was their Spiced Indian Duck Tortilla…it’s like the breakfast wrap’s dangerously exotic cousin. Take pulled duck and remove all the fat, sauté it with tomatoes, onions and Indian influenced spices. Then, add scrambled eggs, supremely creamy white American cheese, wrap it in a bacon layered tortilla that’s pan fried and you have, one amazing breakfast wrap. It’s a dish you must experience.

After that came some incredibly delicious sweet treats…three kinds of Stuffed French Toast. All made with French bread, I was able to taste a little bit of each which was a little bit of heaven in each bite. The first was French toast stuffed with fresh strawberries and banana. They first hollow out the French bread then stuff it with sautéed strawberries and bananas. Add a little dab of their home made whip cream and you have a food coma-making dish. Next up was their Apples, Cinnamon, Raisin and Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast – The Corner Restaurant’s very first special and something they’ve perfected over the past 14 years since they introduced it. My favorite of the three was their Peaches and Cream Stuffed French Toast.…with sweet chunks of peaches and a vanilla cream sauce, it’s definitely dessert for breakfast.

A sweet feast! (Photo courtesy of The Corner Restaurant)

The last item I had the pleasure of tasting was their Pecan Crusted Poached Pear. Infused with a little Grand Marnier (not to worry lightweights, the alcohol is cooked out), the pear is poached then rolled in real Vermont maple syrup and crushed pecans. What a finale to my Connecticut culinary adventure.

By this time, I, like their French toast, was stuffed to the brim. I said my farewells to everyone and thanked Michelle and Amer, who is truly an artist when it comes to breakfast. I walked around Milford a bit and prepared for my next visit.

Flowers abloom!

If you’re in or near Milford, treat yourself to a visit to The Corner Restaurant. I should note that The Corner Restaurant is cash only so save your money and spend it well. 🙂 They’re located at 105 River Street. Or, you can visit them online at www.thecornerbrunch.com

Walking into Daddypops Tumble Inn Diner is like taking a trip on a train to yesteryear. As soon as you see this place you’ll understand why.

Yay! They have booth service!

The diner, a Worcester Lunch Car (or Wu-stah Lunch Cah), dates back to 1941. Named for Worcester, Massachusetts – where the Worcester Lunch Car and Carriage Manufacturing Company was based – this particular lunch car was one of less than 1,000 diners produced from 1906 to 1957. In fact, if you look closely you’ll actually see the Worcester Diner number for Daddypops which is #778. Pretty cool.

Wu-stah Dinah #778

I quickly noticed walking up that on the outside of the building, it states, “Booth Service.” I wasn’t really sure what that meant so Daddypops owner, Debbie, clued me in on a little history. Back in the day, Claremont was a Mill district filled with lots of hardworking blue collar mill workers. When World War II hit, like the rest of America, many of Claremont’s workers were sent to war leaving women to join the workforce…ya’ know, Rosie the Riveter. Well, what I didn’t know was that even though Rosie the Riveter was a hard worker, when it came to eating out she had to eat and sit like a lady which meant she could not sit on stools. So, in 1941, the 1927 stool-only Old Mahony dining car was replaced with the women-friendly Wu-stah with booth service.

Original stained glass windows

And the nostalgia doesn’t stop with the stools. From the original stained glass windows, wooden and tiled floors to their blue retro refrigerators, Daddypops is just a fun place to see and be seen. Just like the decor, Debbie and her staff are warm and inviting. Thank you to Minette for your hospitality!

Super cool retro ice boxes…

Now, the food. Like many of the places I’ve visited, Daddypops offers a pretty straightforward breakfast – omelets, pancakes, eggs over easy – but there was something that caught my eye so I thought I’d give it a try.

It was the Eggs Bullseye. I’ve seen this made before, but I’ve never eaten it…and I’m not sure why. It is one of the most convenient breakfasts around. Simply grab a piece of white bread, hollow out the center, fry it up on the grill, add an over easy egg, flip it and you’re done. Now, instead of having to make your toast separately, you’ve got it all right there. Paired with their home fries that are nice and crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, add a few slices of thick cut bacon and you have a quick, easy breakfast – perfect for traveling or for a Tuesday morning. 🙂

Bullseye get in my belly!

I had to get on the road to pretty quickly after breakfast so I wasn’t able to take time to discover Claremont. Again, another wonderful place I must visit again.

But if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Claremont, New Hampshire or near there (I stayed in Sunapee and loved it!), please check out Daddypops Tumble Inn Diner. They are located at 1 Main Street in Claremont. You can also visit them on Facebook. Enjoy!

I’m not sure what it is about small town, mom-and-pop diners I find so alluring. Could it be that when I eat at these places I discover special treats I wouldn’t normally find at a restaurant chain? Or, being steeped in tradition, are these places imbued with a certain sense of a community’s history that I just want to be a part of it? Or, like the Cheerstheme song, is it just that I wanna go where everybody knows everybody’s name? Well, at Handy’s Lunch, I experienced all three. What’s more, Handy’s Lunch isn’t actually in a small town. It is plopped right smack in the middle of Vermont’s largest city, Burlington…where it’s been for nearly 70 years.

First, let me begin by thanking Miro Weinberger, the Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, who took time out of his busy schedule to support Handy’s during my visit. It’s obvious to me why you were voted Mayor and if you run for re-election you’ve got my vote! I’d also like to thank Elaine Young, a marketing professor at Champlain College, who schooled me in all things social media. I hope to improve my social media skills moving forward. Thank you for all the great information!

Thank you to Earl and Flora for starting Handy’s back in 1945!

Started in 1945 by Earl Handy’s grandparents, Earl and Flora, the diner was originally a combination of a corner store and diner. And, with just five seats at the time, they only served coffee and doughnuts while tending to the store’s customers. All that changed in 1958, when Earl’s father felt the family business would be better served if it became a full-fledged diner. So, while Earl’s grandparents were on vacation, Earl’s father remodeled the space and it’s remained that way ever since. In fact, the horseshoe shaped counter is still the original.

Earl took ownership of Handy’s Lunch in 1996 after graduating from college which wasn’t really in the cards for him. “Growing up, everything I did was preparing me to leave Burlington,” quips Earl. “But, today, it feels pretty good to be here [having been voted Vermont’s FAVORITE breakfast spot].”

And, you can see just how proud this Burlingtonian is day in and day out at Handy’s Lunch. Yes, Earl is the main man behind the horseshoe every day of the week at Handy’s, which is probably why so many of Handy’s customers come back.

The horseshoe counter has been in place since 1958.

I checked out Yelp! before my visit and was amazed to see all the glowing reviews – one of the main threads throughout each of their posts – Earl’s friendly smile and warm welcome. I couldn’t agree more. After bantering back and forth with him on Twitter, I finally met Earl. When I saw him, I felt like I was meeting up with a longtime friend not a perfect stranger. In my opinion, this is how every small business owner should interact with their customers…like they’re family.

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Earl’s astute tweeting abilities…because he IS the Twitter King in my book. With thousands of followers and more than 11,000 tweets under his belt, Earl Handy has learned how to embrace social media to keep the doors of his quaint diner wide open! In fact, Earl’s story was featured on foxbusiness.com on how to use social media for small business. Way to go, Earl!

Located on Maple Street and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Church Street (love, love, love Church Street), Handy’s friendly and relaxed atmosphere makes you feel right at home. Every guest who walks in the door is welcomed with a smile. It’s wood paneled walls are lined with an eclectic mixture of license plates and hockey photos, family pictures and well-deserved awards…and a money tree.

The Money Tree

What began with a euro from a friend, has become an extensive collection of currency from different places like Jamaica and Israel and a fun focal point of the restaurant.

Another focal point? The food. It’s not exotic nor is it difficult to prepare…it’s just plain good.

The Super G

The first of the two dishes? The Super G. Not sure what the G stands for…my guess: “GOOD” because boy was it ever. The Super G takes a typical egg sandwich and beefs it up…literally. You don’t have one type of meat, you have three: ham, sausage and bacon. You don’t have one slice of creamy cheese, you have three. Instead of one egg, you have two. And, move over English muffin, for a sandwich this BIG you need a nice buttery Italian roll. So, to recap, here we go from the bottom up: roll, sausage patty, cheese, egg, cheese, bacon, cheese, egg, ham, roll. Yes, I’ve just described the ultimate egg sandwich. And, all the meats and cheese are high quality Boar’s Head products. 8y7uhijkml, (sorry, just cleaned off the saliva from my keyboard). 🙂

As if this wasn’t enough, Earl then introduced me to the King Richard – named after Handy’s chef, Jeremy Richard. And, he’s certainly a king in my book!

At first glance, the King Richard appears somewhat intimidating. But, for any self-respecting foodie, it’s a challenge one should take. So, I gladly took it.

The King Richard

I find it fitting that it’s named King Richard since the copious amount of real Vermont maple syrup creates a moat between the dish’s pancakes and the edge of the plate.

So, now let me introduce you to the King Richard. From the bottom…two perfectly cooked buttermilk pancakes drenched in real Vermont maple syrup. On top of the pancakes is their simple-yet-devine corned beef hash (Boar’s Head corned beef, onions, potatoes)…then, two eggs over easy.

For those of you who don’t like to mix sweet and salty flavors…get over it. Well, at least for this dish. The combination of flavors works really well. The savory, salty, chewy consistency of the hash pairs perfectly with the buttery, fluffy pancakes. And there isn’t anything better than real Vermont maple syrup. Add the rich, creamy flavor of an over easy egg and voilà, you have breakfast fit for a King.

Gorgeous Lake Champlain

After breakfast I snapped some shots of the diner and said my goodbyes. I walked down to beautiful Lake Champlain and back up to Church Street only to get lost in more mom-and-pop places. I hope I get lost again there some day very soon.

Me on Church Street

Handy’s Lunch is located at 74 Maple Street in Burlington, Vermont (for you Twitterers it’s #BTV). You can contact them at 802-864-5963 or visit them on the Web at facebook.com (Handy’s Lunch Fan Club) or on Twitter: @handyslunch. If you go, please tell them that Little Lee sent you!

What do you think of when you hear the words breakfast in Portland, Maine? Do you think jambalaya and gumbo? How about jalapeño cornbread and huevos rancheros? Probably not…and neither did I. But, that’s exactly what you’ll get when you visit Portland’s Bayou Kitchen – Maine’s FAVORITE breakfast spot.

Welcome to the Bayou Kitchen!

Normally I give myself a little time to take a quick jaunt around whatever town I’m visiting for breakfast, but unfortunately Portland, Maine was my first stop on a whirlwind tour of New England, and I just didn’t schedule enough time to explore everything the city had to offer. Looks like I’ll be back for a visit…and I can’t wait!

Fortunately, I was able to make some time to partake in The Bayou Kitchen’s mouth-watering breakfast fare. And, if you’re in Portland or near Portland, it’s something I highly recommend…but only if you don’t mind waiting or waking up early. This place is only open until 2 p.m., is incredibly busy and rightfully so.

I could smell the food from down the block. It took me right back to New Orleans – the smell of Cajun spices and crawfish – I quickened my pace as I rounded the corner. As I walked up, I noticed a large crowd milling about…I could tell they were equally eager as I was to get into the joint.

Michaolopoulous prints adorning Bayou’s walls.

When I walked in, once again, I felt like I had been transported to the Crescent City – a swath of purple, green and gold colors, Mardi Gras beads, fleur-de-lis and a couple of James Michalopoulos‘ prints adorning the space. Oh, yeah, and a giant alligator hanging on the wall. It’s a feast for the eyes, really.

Welcome, friends!

Speaking of feast, I started mine with an endless cup of very strong coffee. Not bad for $1.65. I sat down with owner Karl Silander – a totally laid back, easy-going kinda guy and a native to Maine. I found this very interesting considering the origins of his restaurant’s cuisine.

But, that didn’t stop Karl. It’s obvious his research into Cajun cooking paid off handsomely. The result is a menu that’s eclectic and diverse, and if it’s a traditional breakfast you’re after they have that too…but why go boring when you can go bold? And, bold is where I went and I loved every morsel of it.

Not that you’ll need to add any more flavor to Bayou’s food…but check out this hot sauce selection!

I started with a taste of their Gumbo. Made with chicken, crawfish, andouille sausage and, “a whole lotta goodness,” says Karl, Bayou’s gumbo captures the very essence of this unique Louisiana dish. “With Cajun cooking,” Karl says, “No one flavor should over power the other. You should be able to taste every single thing in a Cajun dish.” Indeed, I did, savoring every last bite.

Mmmmmm…gumbo and jalapeno cheddar cornbread.

Next up was the Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread – again, a nod to the South. It was lightly crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside and was paired perfectly with the gumbo…and the Red Beans and Rice.

I couldn’t tell you the last time I had red beans and rice. Regrettably, it might have been at Popeye’s Chicken somewhere…and these were definitely NOT those. Bayou’s red beans and rice were a little smoky flavored with a nice bit of spice and a lot of heat…well, let me explain. When you order Bayou’s red beans and rice, be sure not to inhale them. Allow a little time for them to cool, then eat. 🙂

The last dish was Huevos Rancheros with their vegetarian black bean chili that is slightly sweet, but very flavorful. The eggs are cooked to perfection and blend nicely with the chili and flour tortilla. You can wipe your mouth now.

A little huevos rancheros, a little red beans and rice and a whole lotta flavor!

I’d like to thank Karl’s employee, Pat, who was a gracious host and who kept filling my endless coffee cup and to the brilliant folks who made my breakfast feast worth the trip.

Who wouldn’t want to eat breakfast in a place called Rainbow? It would be like not wanting to eat breakfast in Happy Land, Hawaii or Little Heaven, Delaware or Carefree, Arizona. It’s a name that begs a visit, so that’s exactly what I did when Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Rainbow, California was voted Southern California’s favorite breakfast spot.

Welcome to Rainbow!

Yes, I said Southern California. California is HUGE. In fact, it is America’s most populous state – containing more people than the 21 least populous states combined. So, for the purpose of my quest, I divided California in two and began with it’s southern megaregion…thanks, Wikipedia….never heard of a megaregion before but I kinda like it.

I was convinced that a cool, hip place in a metropolitan area like Santa Barbara, Los Angeles or San Diego would win So. Cal’s top spot. In my opinion, any place that serves up an awesome breakfast is hip and definitely cool…so Rainbow – with a population of less than 2,000 – fits the bill.

Rainbow is located in San Diego County just south of Temecula off the Interstate 15 freeway. Rainbow proper consists of a grocery store, a gas station, a florist and Rainbow Oaks Restaurant. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kinda town. So, I would keep your eyes peeled – you certainly wouldn’t want to miss out on this breakfast.

Commonly known as The Oaks, Rainbow Oaks Restaurant was originally established in 1946. After an extensive renovation to restore the interior of the building utilizing local timbers salvaged from the devastating 2007 San Diego fire, it reopened anew in 2009.

Bar stools made from reclaimed wood from the 2007 San Diego fires.

Rustic interior of The Oaks…

The day I visited The Oaks, it was slightly cooler, cloudy and a bit damp…so, their typical weekend crowd wasn’t there that day. Their typical weekend crowd? Anywhere from 300 to 500 bikers roar into Rainbow on their way down to San Diego or up to Julian for a quick bite. I’m sure it’s a sight to see. And, so is their breakfast.

First, thank you to owners Duke and Jonelle Maples, and their wonderfully helpful employee, Teresa Nieto, for your generous hospitality.

Thank you, Teresa! You’re the best!!

Thank you, Duke and Jonell!

I started with something I’ve never had before…wild boar cranberry sausage. Growing up in Texas, I was introduced to many different types of game meat like quail, venison, pheasant and duck. Some were good and some were…well, gamey…which is what I thought my first wild boar experience might taste like. Fortunately, it wasn’t like that at all. In fact, the influence of the cranberry and shiraz wine brought about a burst a flavor making the sausage a little sweet and little savory…but a whole lot of delicious.

Wild boar cranberry sausage…yum.

Speaking of delicious was their next dish…apricot pancakes. As I’ve said before in some of my previous posts, I LOVE thin pancakes. The Oaks’ pancakes aren’t and they are perfect just they way they are due to the specially ordered and intensely guarded buttermilk demanded by the chef for his pancakes. These things melt in your mouth. The buttery, fluffy pancakes are stuffed with dried apricots, which treated me to a wonderful surprise with every couple of bites. Brilliant!

Apricot pancakes…I’m still dreaming about them.

Next up were their Egg Skins…yep, Egg Skins not potato skins. This is one of those dishes perfectly designed for a grab and go breakfast. First, you start with a hollowed out potato skin. Not a bad place to start. Then, stuff it with scrambled eggs with or without bacon (or sausage), and top it with scallions and melted cheese. It’s served with two different types of salsa and sour cream. Be careful…these are served three to an order but if you’re hungry order away.

Egg Skins…a perfect breakfast on-the-go.

Rainbow Oaks Restaurant is open everyday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. It’s located at 4815 5th Street in Rainbow. On their Web site, they state “Make it a point to stop by and see Duke and Jonell at the “Oaks”… you will seriously be happy that you did! ” Seriously, you should. And, when you do…tell ’em Little Lee sent you!

I’ll admit. When Texas landed on the breakfast trip calendar, I secretly hoped that San Marcos, my hometown, would win the heart of the Lone Star State and the followers of Little Lee’s BREAKFAST IN AMERICA…and, to my amazement and delight, it did!

I absolutely love my hometown and when I get a chance to visit, I’m always taken back to times of Ralph the Swimming Pig, Mama’s Pizza and sixth grade at Lamar Middle School. If you grew up in San Marcos in the 80s, you just took a ride down memory lane.

Duran Duran – my obsession from 1983-1985…well, maybe longer.

Another place I grew up with was Paper Bear – one of the most unique specialty shops in San Marcos. I remember saving my money to buy a Duran Duran button or a super cool sticker set or one of their colored plastic boxes that would house my love letters to DD’s drummer, Roger Taylor. Fortunately, for anyone who visits San Marcos today, Paper Bear is still alive and thriving. In fact, it is now located directly across from it’s original location – a semi-underground spot on North LBJ. In it’s place…the Root Cellar Cafe and Gallery – Texas’s favorite breakfast spot.

I’m sure I purchased some of these back in the 80s at Paper Bear.

When I Google-mapped the location, I knew exactly where I’d be traveling. It was my hometown and LBJ (named after the 36th President of the United States Lyndon Baines Johnson) is its main thoroughfare. But, when I got there I looked around (above ground) for the restaurant and didn’t see anything. Then, I saw the entrance, saw where it led and felt my smile widen to something resembling a cheshire cat.

I walked down the steps and into the Root Cellar Cafe and Gallery…I hadn’t stepped foot inside that building in decades and it felt just like home. I knew that breakfast was going to be good.

Thank you to Kyle and Megan for all your help in making my trip back home worth while!

Thank you to owner Kyle Mylius and executive chef Megan Turbeville for your hometown hospitality and for taking time to prepare some fun food for my visit.

As the name suggests, the Root Cellar Cafe is located in a quaint basement that was originally used as a root cellar – a place that is built partially underground to store fruits, nuts and…yes, root vegetables. The restaurant opened for business in February 2005 after a grueling period of remodeling and prep work and became a part of San Marcos culture. And, if you’ve never been to San Marcos, the culture is, in a word…eclectic – merging college life and commerce, history and a killer art scene. And, in my humble opinion, the Root Cellar Cafe fits into the fold perfectly.

And what they also do perfectly is breakfast.

I started my meal with something somewhat exotic – Brazilian French Toast. Well, it’s not quite that exotic…I mean, how exotic is French Toast, really? But, when you add a little vanilla rum to the mix, it turns a simple dish into something quite special. The portion size is just right…it fills you up, but leaves you wanting more because it’s so darn tasty. Remind me to hang with Brazilians more often…especially if they’re serving up some French Toast. 🙂

Brazilian French Toast

Next up was their Baker’s Bagel. Okay, you have a bagel and cream cheese, so what’s the fuss all about? Well, let me tell you. Yes, you start with a plain bagel and top it with cream cheese. But, this isn’t your ordinary cream cheese. It’s a wonderful mixture of honey and cream cheese whipped together into dulcet deliciousness. Then, slice and sauté a Granny Smith apple in butter, cinnamon and sugar until it’s cooked through for a perfect topping to this easy and scrumptious breakfast treat.

Baker’s Bagel

To finish my hometown breakfast extravaganza, we went with another simple, but unique selection…the Rae Sandwich – named after one of Kyle’s friends named, well, uh…Rae. Megan and I decided it was an acronym for Really Awesome Egg sandwich. I’ve had my fair share of egg sandwiches before and they always go something like this – bread, egg, cheese. Or, bread, egg, sausage, cheese. Or, bread, egg, bacon, cheese. See the pattern? So, the Root Cellar Cafe decided to do it a little differently. First, they begin with thickly-sliced bread appropriately called Texas Toast…and you can never go wrong with Texas Toast. Then you pack it with an over-easy egg, sliced tomatoes and pickles. Yes, I said tomatoes and pickles. Never would have seen that combination, but it works and works really well together. Unlike a standard egg sandwich made with a hard fried egg, the Rae is served a little runny, allowing the yolk to blend nicely with both the tomatoes and pickles. What’s left is one satisfied palette.

Rae Sandwich…Really Awesome Egg sandwich.

After my three-course meal, I perused the gallery of artwork by local artists hanging on the walls throughout the restaurant. I bid farewell to my gracious hosts and made my way back to the airport…past the beautiful historic homes on Belvin Street, past the Sac-n-Pac that’s still in business, past the ever-growing outlet malls that dwarf the sign of Centerpoint Road – the road that led back to Southridge Estates and to a time of long summer days picking blackberries, playing tag in the fields behind my house and waiting for the lightning bugs to tell me when it was time to go home.

There are some cities in America that seem to have been perfectly designed to entice the traveler to visit…places like Los Angeles, Nashville and Washington, DC. And, yes, one day, I will visit the Grand Ole Opry. Then there are those cities that unabashedly tempt the diehard foodie to explore…places like New York, San Francisco, New Orleans and…Chicago. Don’t agree? Well, does your favorite city have a pizza style named after it? Mmm hmmm…that’s what I thought.

The Windy City from above!

Chicago has always been one of those places I’ve longed to visit. From its architecture to Michael Jordan to Second City and deep dish pizzas, it’s a place that’s intrigued me on many, many levels. So, when I learned that Hash House a Go Go Chicago was chosen as Illinois’s favorite breakfast spot by the followers of Little Lee’s BREAKFAST IN AMERICA (and after I nearly broke my 40-something-year-old back doing a cartwheel out of sheer happiness), I eagerly started planning my itinerary.

Since I was there only a day and half, I caught just a small sampling of what that terrific city had to offer. And, might I add…the PEOPLE of Chicago are AMAZING. It’s such a big city, but the people – every single person with whom I came in contact – were gracious, helpful and just plain nice. BRAVO. A special thank you to Debbie and Joe Reif who opened up the whole top floor of their beautiful home to a total stranger and made her feel like family.

I was able to sightsee a little checking out the Sears Tower…yes, to every true-blooded Chicagoan it will always be the Sears Tower. To everyone else, it’s the Willis Tower. I wandered over to Cloud Gate at Millennium Park…think GIANT Tiffany Bean. Got lost on Michigan Avenue and loved every minute of it. I made my way to Gino’s East for the most amazing deep dish pizza because I could, and I visited an old friend, the buh-rilliant James O’Donnell, chef extraordinaire at Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse who introduced me to my first-ever Delmonico. Beyond insane.

Cloud Gate aka giant Tiffany bean

Yes…and then there was BREAKFAST. Now, I had been to a Hash House before when they were voted Nevada’s favorite breakfast so I knew what to expect…but, you know about expectations, right? Well, sometimes reality has an uncanny ability of going beyond my expectations…which is what HH Chicago did.

Hash House here I come!

First, thanks to Brad Gold for your generous hospitality. Like my visit to HH’s Reno location, Brad provided me with a small sampling of their food. Not that that’s possible since HH can’t do food that’s anything less than big and gastronomically pleasing. It’s just too bad I didn’t have five more of my friends to help me finish them!

Thank you, Brad, for your hospitality and taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me!

As I did in Reno at the HH there, I started with a delicious treat of drink called the Butterscotch Latte Pop. Garnished with a wrapped piece of butterscotch candy, the coffee beverage had a slight hint of butterscotch and just the right mixture of whip cream and espresso.

After a couple sips of their delicious apéritif (sans alcohol),came three GIANT plates of food. And, when I say GIANT I mean GIANT. And, I was a bit scared.

I began my culinary adventure with Hash House’s Pork Tenderloin Eggs Benedict which starts with a layer of griddled mashed potatoes topped with a biscuit; then they add spinach, tomatoes, hand hammered pork tenderloin (breaded and deep fried) and scrambled eggs. And if that wasn’t enough, the whole thing is topped with their homemade BBQ cream sauce – one of the many sauces made in-house every day at HH. In my opinion, if you bread or deep fry anything you’re on your way to making something good. And, the Pork Tenderloin Eggs Benedict wasn’t good, it was great. The wonderful thing is that if you order the Benedict, no one else in your party of five will need to order. 🙂 Did I say it was GIANT?

Pork Tenderloin Eggs Benedict – to. die. for.(photo: Tastychomps.com)

Next up was their Meatloaf Hash. Now, I love me some meatloaf, but for breakfast – and in a hash? I wasn’t so sure about that. I think hash I think chopped up tiny bits of meat with potatoes which go well with eggs over easy. And, I guess this would be considered a hash. The only difference is that the chopped up bits of meat are the size of one inch squares! It’s overwhelming to see that much food on a plate so fortunately it is appropriately served on a medium-sized cast iron skillet. The presentation was perfect for a dish that size. What’s more, it was topped with a sprig of rosemary the size of a small tree branch.

HH’s Meatloaf Hash!(Photo: Tribune file photo)

Last but certainly not least was the Hash House Quesadilla. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tortilla that large before my trip to HH. Typically, a quesadilla is something that’s quick and easy, an on-the-go type breakfast…not so at Hash House. If the Hash House tortilla were a car, it would be a monster truck! This thing is huge and is filled with deliciousness – eggs, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, jalapeños and cheese. It’s topped with a mildly spicy chipotle cream sauce that is a little smoky and a little sweet, and a perfect complement to this massive breakfast dish.

Hash House a Go Go is located at 1212 N. State Parkway in Chicago. To learn more about Hash House a Go Go or to peruse more of their menu, visit them online at www.hashhouseagogo.com/chicago. And, if you’re in the Windy City, check ’em out and tell ’em Little Lee sent you!